Fall 2025:
Spring 2026:
*Please double check with the dates on Studentweb.
Prerequisites: Applicants who have attended at least one course offered by the Institute of Retail Management (Prof. Dr. Thomas Rudolph) will be given preference. In addition, all applicants are expected to be familiar with the fundamentals of academic writing, including proper citation practices. Theses must be completed within two semesters after the kick-off meeting.
Topics: Please carefully review the list of topics on our website. We only accept applications for topics listed on this website. Self-proposed topics will not be considered. Applicants may apply for up to three topics, ranked by priority. Topics offered in German should also be written in German.
Timing: We supervise approximately 10 theses per semester. Each semester, you can apply for one of these topics for approximately one month or until all topics have been assigned. You can apply during the following periods:
Spring semester: mid-January to mid-February
Fall semester: beginning of September to end of September
All applicants will be informed of the outcome after the application period has closed (see the date above). If your application is successful, you will be invited to a 20-minute kick-off meeting with Prof. Dr. Thomas Rudolph and a PhD student to discuss your topic.
Get informed
Carefully read through our application process and the important information provided above
Select your topics
Choose up to three topics from the list provided below that genuinely interest you.
Respect the deadlines
Please make sure to apply within the official application periods (see the “Timing” section).
Submit your application
Send your application documents including your CV, a current grade transcript, and the thesis application form to: abschlussarbeiten-irm@unisg.ch.
Please note: We only accept applications sent to this address. Applications submitted directly to Prof. Rudolph or to the administration office will not be considered.
Notification & scheduling
About one week after the application deadline, you will receive an acceptance notification. You will then be contacted to schedule your kick-off meeting with Prof. Rudolph and your assigned advisor (PhD student). We offer limited time slots for this meeting. The 20-minute slots are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. We therefore kindly ask you to reserve at least two possible kick-off dates in your calendar.
Kick-off meeting
During the kick-off meeting, you will discuss and refine your topic together with Prof. Rudolph and your advisor. After this meeting, you will officially begin your thesis. Please bring the filled-out application form and our publication approval form to the meeting.
Registration via Thesis Management Platform
Please note: This internal application process does not replace the official thesis registration at the Student Administration. You are still required to register your thesis topic via the Thesis Management Platform.
Start with the IRM Fact Sheet
Familiarize yourself with the IRM fact sheet, which provides detailed information about the writing process and outlines our expectations for high-quality theses.
Begin with your literature review
After your kick-off meeting with Prof. Rudolph and your advisor (PhD student), begin working on your literature review to build a solid foundation for your thesis.
Schedule your second meeting
Your second meeting should take place no later than six months after starting your thesis. For this meeting, submit the following documents to your advisor at least two working days in advance:
- Introduction
- Disposition of the main part
- Theoretical framework
- Methodological approach
Finalize and submit your thesis
Complete your thesis and submit it according to the university’s official guidelines.